WTO backs U.S. in Chinese chicken dispute

9/26/2013 at 12:00 a.m.

In a story reported by Agri-Pulse yesterday, the United States won a major trade dispute with China regarding anti-dumping duties on U.S. chicken “broiler” products. The story said China must now bring itself into compliance with its World Trade Organization obligations. China imposed duties on U.S. grown broiler meat causing exports to fall more than 90 percent.

“This decision represents a significant victory for American farmers and chicken producers and proves that the United States will not stand by while our trade partners unfairly hurt U.S. exports and U.S. jobs,” said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. “Given the wide-ranging violations found by the WTO, I hope that China's acceptance of the WTO's decision without appeal signals a recognition by China that it needs to take a serious look at its trade remedies regime and bring its rules, procedures and practices into line with its WTO obligations.”

The National Chicken Council (NCC) called the decision "welcome news." Chicken producers "look forward to once again competing in this viable export market without unjustified trade restrictions," said President Mike Brown.